Clerical garment and collar assembly therefor



Dec. 30, 1969 P. G. ROCHON 3,486,170

CLERICAL GARMENT AND COLLAR ASSEMBLY THEREFOR Filed June 27. 1968 3: F2 PAUL 6: FaCHQN m 9- BY A TTOR NE Y5 United States Patent 3,486,170 CLERICAL GARMENT AND COLLAR ASSEMBLY THEREFOR Paul G. Rochon, 2170 Cushing Sh, Montreal 9, Quebec, Canada Filed June 27, 1968, Ser. No. 740,695 Int. Cl. A411) 3/00 US. Cl. 2-129 16 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A clerical garment and collar assembly adapted to be permanently sewn about the neck opening of the garment, including inner and outer black or gray collar neck bands and a white clerical collar portion therebetween and projecting evenly thereabove. The white clerical collar portion is laminated and the upper portion thereof is turned inwardly and back upon itself to provide a rounded top edge for wearing comfort and to give support to the collar. The outer collar neck band consists of two band sections that are spaced apart at the front of the collar to give the general appearance of a white collar and a high-collared dark garment slightly open at the neck.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates generally to garments to be worn by the clergy, and more particularly to a uniquely constructed clerical or Roman collar assembly for such garment that is permanently attached to the body of the garment.

Description of the prior art There are many members of the clergy who wear a special collar to indicate that they are of the Catholic or Episcopal faiths. The dark colored shirts, robes and other garments commonly worn by such clergy are usually provided with an upstanding generally cylindrical neck band, within or to which a separate, usually white collar is detachably mounted to project a short distance thereabove.

The use of a collar formed separately from the garment, while making it possible to remove the collar for washing when desired, has certain disadvantages. The separate collars normally must be starched and are frequently diflicult to attach and maintain in proper position, especially after several cycles of washing and starching, and the attachment buttons or other fasteners often cause discomfort and irritation to the neck of the wearer. Further, the combined structure of the separate collar and neck band arrangement frequently is bulky, and constitutes a further irritant to the wearer.

There is thus a need for a garment with a permanently attached clerical or Romantype collar that presents a good appearance even after repeated washings and which is designed to afford a maximum of comfort and a minimum of inconvenience to the wearer. The present invention satisfies that need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The unique collar assembly of the invention is per manently sewn to a religious garment, which can be a long or short sleeve shirt, a vest, a robe, or of any other appropriate type. The invention takes advantage of modern synthetic fiber fabrics and fabrics made of a blend of synthetic and natural fibers, which are light in weight and which can be easily washed and returned to use. Both the garment and the collar may be made of such fabrics, the collar assembly being designed to, nevertheless, give the same substantial and form-holding appearance as of- "ice fered by a separately formed starched collar, but wherein starching is unnecessary.

The collar assembly of the present invention is designed to be sewn to an edge of the neck opening of a garment and includes a two-section outer neck band having an inturned upper edge. A clerical collar portion is attached to the outer neck band sections and comprises a plurality of layers of fabric sewn to the upper and lower edges of the outer neck band sections. The upper edge portion of the layers of fabric of the clerical collar portion are sewn to an upper inturned edge of a one-piece inner neck band. The bottom edge portions of the combined outer neck band sections and the clerical collar portion, and the bottom edge portion of the inner neck band in the finished garment are turned inwardly toward each other and the edge of the garment at the neck opening is received therebetween. The collar assembly is secured to the garment by first sewing the lower edges of the outer neck band sections and the clerical collar portion to the garment, and thereafter sewing the inturned lower edge of the inner neck band to the garment.

The invention thus provides a garment with a permanently attached Roman-type collar, whereby the use of separate collars and attachment buttons or other fasteners is eliminated. By making both the garment and the collar of modern wash-and-wear fabrics, the vestment is soft and light in weight and easily cared for. However, any suitable material can be used.

It is the principal object of the invention to provide a collar assembly that can be permanently attached to a clerical garment and which presents a neat and becoming appearance when worn.

Another object is to provide a collar assembly made of textile or other suitable material, and which can be easily preassembled and attached to almost any type of vestment.

A further object is to provide a collar assembly for a clerical garment which will not feel bulky or cause irritation or discomfort to the wearer.

A still further object is to provide a clerical garment having a Roman-type collar permanently attached there- 10.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of the invention will become readily apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment, when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front view of a shirt, with the clerical collar assembly of the invention permanently attached thereto;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the shirt of FIG. 1, showing a zipper arranged so that the neck opening can be enlarged to aid in putting on and removing the shirt;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the front center portion of the collar assembly;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view showing how the outer neck band sections, the intermediate clerical collar portion and the inner neck band are preassembled before sewing to a garment;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view showing an outer neck band section and the clerical collar portion folded upwardly after being attached to the neck opening of the garment;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view taken on the line 6-6 in FIG. 3, showing the construction of the completed collar assembly and the manner in which the inner neck band is sewn to the garment;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view taken on the line 77 in FIG. 2, showing one end of the collar assembly and how the one part of the zipper is attached to the collar assembly; and

3 FIG. 8 is a view looking in the direction of the arrows 8-8 in FIG. 4, showing the appearance of the collar assembly before the clerical collar portion and inner band of the collar are folded inwardly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, a shirt of the chemisetype to be worn by a member of the clergy is indicated at 2, and includes the novel collar assembly 4. The shirt 2 has a body 6 comprised of front and back panels 8 and 10, respectively, sewn together at their side edges and joined at their top edges by right and left shoulder panels 12 and 14, respectively. The body 6 has armholes 16 to which sleeves 18 are sewn. These may be short, or the sleeves 18 may be long and terminate in cuffs 20, a shown. The front panel 8 of the shirt 2 has a pocket 21 sewn thereon. The front panel 8, together with the right and left shoulder panels 12 and 14 are cut to form a neck opening, the panels 8, 12 and 14 including edges serving as tab portions 22 that extend upwardly about the neck opening in the finished garment and to which the collar assembly 4 is attached.

While the collar assembly 4 is shown to the shirt 2, it is to be understood that it might instead be attached to some other clerical garment. The collar assembly 4 can be utilized, for example, with other types of shirts, with robes, vests, or nearly any style garment, the principles of construction thereof being the same in each case.

The collar assembly 4 is comprised of an outer collar neck band 24, an intermediate band or clerical collar portion 26, and an inner collar neck band 28, the outer and inner collar neck bands 24 and 28 normally being made from the same dark colored textile fabric as the body 6 of the shirt 2, for example, black or gray. The outer neck band 24 is made of two sections 24a24a arranged in end-to-end spaced relation. The intermediate band 26 is usually made of white textile fabric, and to provide body is comprised of a plurality of fabric layers 30. While two layers 30 are shown, more can be employed if increased body and fullness for the collar portion 26 is wanted. The construction of the finished c01- lar assembly 4 is best shown in FIG. 6. The manner in which the elements thereof are assembled is diagrammatically shown in FIG. 4, and the first operation in attaching the collar assembly to the skirt 2 is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

Referring to FIG. 4, the initial step in making the collar assembly 4 is to align the bottom edges 32 and 34 of the outer neck band sections 24a and the collar layers 30, respectively, after which the lower positions of these components are stitched together by one row of stitches 36 extending throughout the length of the assembly while in a flat condition. The upper edge portion 38 of the outer neck band sections 24a is then folded over on itself, and two horizontal rows of longitudinal stitches 40 are sewn through the layers 30 and the doubled upper portion of the outer neck band sections 24a.

The colored outer neck band sections 24a have their adjacent ends spaced apart to leave a blank area 42 in the front center of the collar assembly to expose a portion of the white clerical band 26. This area is formed during the process step of FIG. 4 by folding back upon themselves the adjacent ends 44 of the sections 24a of the outer band 24 and sewing the folded ends to the collar layers 30 by vertical or transverse stitching 46, the stitching 46 meeting at a right angle with the stitching 40, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 8 to present a pleasing and neat appearance. Actually, the stitching 46 is a continuation of the stitching 40. It will be understood, of course, that the color of the thread used in all stitching is dark and matches that of the outer neck band 24 and the main garment.

The inner neck band 28 is shown in inverted position in FIGS. 4 and 5, the normally upper edge portion 48 thereof being folded toward the intermediate collar layers 30. The layers 30 are here shown before folding, so that the folded-over portion 48 of the inner neck band 28 is positioned on the same side of the layers 36 at the outer neck band sections 24a, and is spaced from said outer neck band sections. A row of longitudinal stitching 50 secures the inner neck band 28 to the layers 30.

The collar assembly is completed by folding the inner neck band 28 upon the outer neck band 24, and sewing the same together by a row of transverse stitches 51. This operation is performed at both extremities of the collar assembly and then the assembly is turned insideout so that the resulting structure has the formation shown in FIG. 7, wherein the layers 30 have inturned ends 53, the outer band section 24a has an intnrned end 55, and the inner band 28 has an inturned ed 57.

The neck opening portion of the garment body 6 is turned inside-out in FIG. 4, and the neck opening tab edge 22 is sewn circumferentially to the collar layers 30 and to the outer neck band sections 2411 by stitching 52, spaced a short distance from the stitching 36. The neck portion 22 of the garment body 6 is then returned to its normal position, whereby the stitched lower edge portions of the outer neck band sections 24a and the collar layers 30 are folded inwardly as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the stitching 36 and 52 is hidden from view, and a rounded lower edge 54 of substantial body is provided at the juncture of the shirt and collar assembly.

The multiple layers 30 of the intermediate band 26 are then folded inwardly at the medial region thereof to provide a full bodied, comfortable, rounded upper edge 56 for the collar 26, FIG. 6. The layers 30 are folded so that a substantial portion E thereof projects above the outer neck band 24. The lower edge portion 58 of the inner neck band 28 is then folded upwardly toward the neck tab portion 22, and the inner neck band is then sewed circumferentially with stitching 60 to the garment body 8, the stitching 60 passing through the tab 22 just below the rounded lower edge 54 of the outer neck band 24.

Obviously, if the collar assembly 4 could not be opened or expanded, it would not be possible for a person to put on the garment 2 by passing it over the head. Thus, the back panel 6 has a slit in the upper edge thereof, which mates with the confronting edges of the right and left panels 12 and 14 and with the ends of the collar assembly 4. The halves 72 of a zipper 74 are sewed in place along the slit 70 by stitching 76, and provide a means for opening and closing the slit opening.

Referring to FIG. 7, one-half 72 of the zipper 74 is shown attached to the end of the collar assembly 4 by stitching 76, which also attaches the zipper section to the garment body 6, as shown in FIG. 2. The stitching extends across the band sections 24a, but terminates short of the layers 30 at the fold 56, since it would be undesirable to have the stitches extend into the white layers 30.

The collar assembly 4 is thus permanently sewed on the garment body 6, and the three elements thereof are held in fixed relationship so that no adjustments are ever needed and a near and correct appearance is provided at all times. Further, since it is made from commonly used soft textile fabrics, the collar assembly 4 will be soft and will cause no irritation to the wearer, the multiple-layer design providing fullness and stability to the collar assembly 4 without the need for starching.

The feature of fullness and stability without the use of starch also makes it possible to wash the garment in the usual manner, dry it, and then immediately return the garment to service with only minimal pressing. Even the need for minimal pressing can be eliminated if the garment and the collar assembly 4 are both made from modern wrinkle resistant, wash-and-wear fabrics.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.

I claim:

1. A garment to be worn by clergymen and having a body portion with a neck opening therein, and including an edge portion extending about said neck opening for securing a collar assembly thereto; and an upstanding collar assembly sewn circumferentially along the bottom edge portion thereof to said edge portion about said neck opening, said collar assembly comprising: an outer collar neck band; and a clerical collar portion received within said outer collar neck band and including an upper portion that projects above said outer collar neck band, said clerical collar portion being made of textile fabric and being sewn circumferentially to said outer collar neck band and the upper projecting portion thereof being folded inwardly and back upon itself to define a rounded upper edge on said projecting portion.

2. A garment as recited in claim 1, wherein the outer collar neck band consists of two sections having ends spaced apart at a central front portion of the collar as sembly to expose an area of the clerical collar portion.

3. A garment as recited in claim 1, wherein the collar assembly further includes an inner neck band, the upper edge portion of said inner neck band being sewn longitudinally to the inwardly folded portion of said clerical collar portion and terminating a distance below the rounded upper edge thereof, and the lower edge portion of said inner neck band being sewn circumferentially to the edge portion about the neck opening.

4. A garment as recited in claim 1, wherein the clerical collar portion is made from a plurality of layers of textile fabric.

5. A garment as recited in claim 1, wherein the body portion, and the collar assembly are both slit vertically to allow for enlarging the neck opening and forming a break in the collar assembly so that the head of a wearer can be passed through the garment, and wherein fastener means are provided to close the slit in said body portion and collar assembly.

6. A garment, as recited in claim 1, wherein the outer collar neck band consists of two sections having ends spaced apart at a central front portion of the collar assembly to expose an area of the clerical collar portion; and wherein the clerical collar portion is made from a plurality of layers of textile fabric; and wherein the collar assembly includes an inner neck band, the upper edge portion of which is sewn longitudinally to the inwardly folded portion of the clerical collar portion and terminates a distance below the rounded upper edge of said clerical collar portion and the lower edge portion of said inner neck band is sewn circumferentially to the edge portion about the neck opening of the garment; and wherein the body portion of the garment and the collar assembly are both slit vertically to allow for enlarging the neck opening and to form a break in the collar assembly so that the head of a wearer can be passed through the garment; and wherein fastening means are provided to close the slit in said body portion and collar assembly.

7. A collar assembly for a clerical garment having a neck opening to which the collar assembly is to be attached, said collar assembly comprising: a pair of outer neck band sections; a clerical collar portion secured by longitudinal stitching to said outer neck band sections with the outer neck band sections spaced apart centrally of the front of said clerical collar portion to expose an area thereof, said clerical collar portion projecting above said outer neck band sections and being folded inwardly and back upon itself to define a rounded upper edge on said clerical collar portion with a substantial portion of said clerical collar portion projecting above the upper edge of said outer neck band sections.

8. A collar assembly as recited in claim 7, wherein the upper and lower portions of the outer neck band sections are stitched to the clerical collar portion lengthwise thereof and the adjacent ends of said outer neck band sections are transversely stitched to said clerical collar portion.

9. A collar asembly, as recited in claim 7, wherein the outer neck band sections and the clerical collar are secured together by stitching extending longitudinally thereof adjacent to both the upper and the lower edges of said outer neck band sections.

10. A collar asembly as recited in claim 7, wherein the upper edge portion of said outer neck band sections is folded inwardly and downwardly and wherein at least one row of the longitudinal stitching extends therethrough.

-11. A collar assembly as recited in claim 7, wherein the clerical collar portion is made from a plurality of layers of textile fabric.

12. A collar assembly as recited in claim 7, including an inner neck band disposed within the clerical collar portion, the upper edge of said inner neck band being positioned below the rounded upper edge of said clerical collar portion and being stitched longitudinal to the inwardly and downwardly folded part of said clerical collar portion.

13. A collar assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein the outer neck band sections, the clerical collar portion and the inner neck band have extremities that are transversely stitched together at the opposite ends of the collar assembly.

14. A collar assembly for a clerical garment having a neck opening to which the collar assembly is to be attached, said collar assembly comprising: an outer neck band consisting of two sections; a clerical collar portion disposed within said outer neck band sections, the upper and lower portions of said outer neck band sections being stitched to said clerical collar portion lengthwise thereof in longitudinally spaced end-to-end relation, the adjacent spaced ends of said outer neck band sections being transversely stitched to said clerical collar portion, said clerical collar portion extending above said outer neck band sections and having a part thereof folded inwardly upon itself to provide a rounded upper edge on said clerical collar portion; and an inner neck band disposed within said clerical collar portion, the upper edge of said inner neck band being positioned below said rounded upper edge and being stitched to the inwardly folded part of said clerical collar portion, said outer neck band sections, said clerical collar portion and said inner neck band having extremities that are stitched together at the opposite ends of the collar assembly, the lower edges of said outer neck band sections and said clerical collar portion being adapted to be attached to said garment at said neck opening, and the lower edge of said inner neck band also being adapted to be attached to said garment at said neck opening.

15. A collar assembly as recited in claim 7, including an inner neck band disposed within the clerical collar portion, the upper edge of said inner neck band being stitched longitudinally to the inwardly and downwardly folded part of said clerical collar portion.

16. A collar assembly for a clerical garment having a neck opening to which the collar assembly is to be attached, said collar assembly comprising: an outer neck band consisting of two sections; a clerical collar portion disposed within said outer neck band sections, the upper and lower portions of said outer neck band sections being stitched to said clerical collar portion lengthwise thereof in longitudinally spaced end-to-end relation, the adjacent spaced ends of said outer neck band sections being transversely stitched to said clerical collar portion, said clerical collar portion extending above said outer neck band sections and having a part thereof folded inwardly upon itself to provide a rounded upper edge on said clerical collar portion; and an inner neck band disposed within said clerical collar portion, the upper edge of said inner neck band being stitched to the inwardly folded part of said clerical collar portion, said outer neck band sections, said clerical collar portion and said inner neck band having extremities that are stitched together at the opposite ends of the collar assembly, the lower edges of said outer neck band sections and said clerical collar portion being adapted to be attached to said garment at said neck opening, and the lower edge of said inner neck band also being UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1959 Snincak 2ll9 5/1960 Williams 2lO3 JAMES R. BOLER, Primary Examiner 

